JimmyM
Diamond Member
Unless you like DW.
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Are DW drums still cool?
- Thread starter dirtyclinic
- Start date
caddywumpus
Archnemesis of Larryace
This is no comparison, but to each their own opinion. Personally, I give the nod to the SQ2, but I understand the allure of the DW sound.
The audience won’t be able to tell the difference.
Artstar
Platinum Member
He does.. He had his Collectors sitting right next to his SQ2.
Claymorexz
Junior Member
I feel like lots of people lost a bit of interest on DW when it got purchased by Roland, but overall I think its more or less the same as always. It clearly won't ever be as popular as it was in the 90s but it's still going strong I would say. I feel like certain brands fit certain niches, Tama seems to have majority of rock/metal players, Yamaha has the jazz guys, and DW has a bit of everything but doesn't have a clear majority on their roster, much like Sonor, they aren't overwhelmingly used in an specific genre but they have their fingers in many different pies.
Syncopated_1
Well-known Member
I actually sold my DW kit last year - had a local guy offer me a crazy amount of money for it. They along with Sonor SQ2 DEFINATELY hold their value. Wow.
I do like DW drums, if I eventually go for another I would have to think long and hard on how I would design it. That's the biggest advantage of DW, they offer a customization level greater than the SQ2 line. I think DW and Pearl (Masterworks) will allow the greatest degree of customization.
I also prefer the collectors maple standard shell, but feel the bass drum was a tad thin (just a tad). I think I would have added another couple of plies to it using the same HVLT pattern.
You guys are going to have me ordering another kit soon. BAD INFLUENCES ALL OF YOU!!!!!
Having said that, I have never found a sound I like better than the Prolite and the SQ2 thin birch kits. Not certain anyone can touch these, but to each their own.
Syncopated_1
Well-known Member
Speaking of DW, does ANYONE have any idea where the 'Book of Plies' went from their website? It vanished after Roland bought them and I have been scouring ever since. If memory serves it was a downloadable PDF file.
Artstar
Platinum Member
yes.. I knew you sold it but I was referring to you having that Collectors previously and you don't hate them by any means.
Syncopated_1
Well-known Member
Definitely IMHO the best out of America. Uh oh that's gonna make the Ludwig / Gretsch crowd unhappy!
Duck Tape
Platinum Member
Well that’s interesting. I have collectors drums (2 ebony satin oil kits) and when I got a dw performance recently I noticed the kick has a low end punch unlike the others, unlike anything I’ve owned actually, it seems to cut through everything, almost like Vinnie Paul’s clicky bass drums (but not). I will have to setup the kits side by side one day.
The performance has HVX shells and my collectors are maple standard.
As for DW - I personally love them and I’m lucky to have bought a few before prices went out of control. Some pics of one of my kits:
Syncopated_1
Well-known Member
Anything in black (piano black, black matte, etc.) just oooze pure class in my book. One of the reasons that kit sounds so good is that HVX shell is that at 8/36" ply config = 5.65 mm shell thickness. Thin enough to be legit resonant but thick enough to generate real body and projection. I would prefer this over a Ludwig Classic Maple ANY day of the week.
Syncopated_1
Well-known Member
Check out the DW Collectors Birch Kit. THIS is the one that has my ear...
Syncopated_1
Well-known Member
A very cool sound...in my head!
I remember when DW kits first started showing up in magazines. Of course, we didn't have the internet back then, so these new kits seemed to have this romantic allure. Something only attainable in printed form, especially as a pre teen who was pounding on a used tom head rested on top of a Long John Silver's fish batter bucket. I still think they're cool, but maybe they're not. I don't consider myself cool enough to know when something is cool or not.
AudioWonderland
Silver Member
I don't care what the badge says or the lugs look like. How do they sound? A lot of mfg make great drums even in their lower end kits. If the shell is round and the edges are flat, good enough. Its on me to do the rest.
Tamboreter
Gold Member
I have never viewed DW's as cool. The price is a turn off and the turret lugs are, well... just plain unattractive and distracting. I didn't like the lugs when I first saw them under the Camco brand back in the 70's.
If someone gifted me a set of DW's, I could maybe bring myself to play them.
If someone gifted me a set of DW's, I could maybe bring myself to play them.
JimmyM
Diamond Member
At least your reasons are legit, and I’m not being sarcastic. Price and looks are a major reason I went with old Ludwigs. I do like the turret lugs, though, just not the prices.I have never viewed DW's as cool. The price is a turn off and the turret lugs are, well... just plain unattractive and distracting. I didn't like the lugs when I first saw them under the Camco brand back in the 70's.
If someone gifted me a set of DW's, I could maybe bring myself to play them.